Yankees Interested In Johnny Damon

The Yankees are interested in bringing Johnny Damon back to New York and are discussing a potential reunion with him, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. Davidoff reports that the Yankees are open to bringing the 37-year-old back as a part-time left fielder and DH. Though the sides have had multiple conversations about possible deals, Damon would ideally like more guaranteed playing time.

Damon has been open about his preferences so far this offseason, saying publicly that he likes the idea of playing for the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays. The Dodgers have expressed some interest in the Scott Boras client, but the defending World Series Champion Giants don't appear to be a fit.

Jorge Posada will be the Yankees' primary DH in 2011 and Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson will play every day in left and center, the positions Damon played as a Yankee. Both Gardner and Granderson bat left-handed, so the Yankees seem better-suited for an outfielder who bats right-handed.

Damon bats left-handed, but has a career .282/.347/.402 line against southpaws. He hits righties better, but doesn't show a serious platoon split, so the Yankees may feel comfortable playing him in place of Granderson or Gardner against tough left-handers.